ANAHEIM – Who needs Corey Perry and his new eight-year, $69 million deal?

The Ducks actually do but they did just fine without their star right wing Monday night as Francois Beauchemin's two goals and Emerson Etem's first career tally highlighted their 5-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks at Honda Center.

Perry wasn't on the ice as he was busy putting the finishing touches on his big-money contract extension while serving the third of his four-game suspension for his hit on Minnesota Wild rookie Jason Zucker.

His absence hasn't halted the hard-driving Ducks (21-3-4), who've gone 8-0-3 since their last regulation loss on Feb. 25 against the Kings at Staples Center. Their 12th consecutive home triumph set a franchise record.

"We always want this building to be a tough place to come into," Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf said. "Our fans have shown it this year and we've shown it.

"That's what we want to do down the stretch here. Keep winning our home games and win as many as you can on the road."

Getzlaf's shorthanded score capped a three-goal outburst in less than three minutes of the second period to blow open a 1-1 tie. It was Etem who fed him the deft pass after breaking through on his own just 2:12 earlier.

Etem, a Long Beach native and Ducks' late first-round pick in 2010, broke in on San Jose goalie Antti Niemi and beat him top shelf after getting a feed from Daniel Winnik. The score drew a loud ovation from the announced 14,441 in attendance.

"It's about time," said Etem, who was playing in his 19th NHL game. "I've been waiting a long time and I know the fans have too. It's just great to contribute offensively tonight.

"I knew the goals would come. I've been shooting a lot more lately and I just need to keep that up. It was a great play by Winny there, just threading the needle on that pass."

Just 34 seconds before Etem's seminal moment, Peter Holland snapped a tie game when he finished a nifty tic-tac-toe play with Andrew Cogliano and Bobby Ryan.

Patrick Marleau scored near the end of the second and Matt Irwin beat Ducks goalie Viktor Fasth at 6:48 of the third to make it interesting but Beauchemin finished off another victory with an empty-net goal.

The Ducks set themselves up for a Wednesday night showdown with NHL-leading Chicago. Both teams have run away with the Western Conference point lead with the Blackhawks racking up 51 and the Ducks right behind with 46.

One of the Blackhawks' few defeats came against the Ducks, a 3-2 decision on Feb. 12 in Chicago.

"Obviously we beat them in a shootout in their building the first time we played them," Beauchemin said. "We want to keep doing the things that we've been doing lately.

The Ducks celebrate a goal against San Jose Sharks goalie Antti Niemi in the second period Monday. ROSE PALMISANO, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton and Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf battle for the puck in the first period. ROSE PALMISANO, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Ducks right wing Emerson Etem tries to score on San Jose goalie Antti Niemi as Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle defends in the first period Monday. ROSE PALMISANO, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Ducks players celebrate a goal by defenseman Francois Beauchemin in the first period Monday night. ROSE PALMISANO, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
San Jose defenseman Douglas Murray reaches for the puck as Ducks right wing Teemu Selanne defends in the first period Monday. ROSE PALMISANO, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Ducks defenseman Luca Sbisa takes control of the puck against Sharks center Michal Handzus, left, and right wing Adam Burish in the second period Monday. ROSE PALMISANO, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Sharks center Joe Thornton, and Ducks defenseman Luca Sbisa battle for the puck in the second period Monday. ROSE PALMISANO, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Sharks goalie Antti Niemi reacts after Ducks center Peter Holland scores in the second period. ROSE PALMISANO, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Sharks center Patrick Marleau and Ducks center David Steckel battle for the puck in the second period. ROSE PALMISANO, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.